10 Dec 1946:Appointed to Permanent Commission in the rank of Squadron Leader
(retaining rank current at the time) [wef
1 Sep 1945]

xx Jul 1948:Officer Commanding, No 33 Sqn.

xx Sep 1948:?

xx xxx 1950:Directing Staff, Joint Staff Services College.

xx Feb 1953:Officer Commanding,RAF
Biggin Hill.

xx Oct 1955:?

xx xxx 1956:Attended Imperial Defence College.

1956Group Captain - Plans, Air Task Force

19 Dec 1956:
Deputy Director, Directorate of Air Defence Operations

30 Nov 1959:Officer Commanding, RAF North Coates.

21 Feb 1961:AOC and Commandant, College of Air Warfare.

9 Jun 1959 - 14 Jan 1964: ADC to The
Queen

4 Feb 1963:Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations).

26 Nov 1965:AOC, No 3 Group.

3 Nov 1967:SASO, HQ Bomber Command.

30 Apr 1968:SASO/Deputy C in C, HQ Strike Command.

6 May 1969:Commander, British Forces Near East/AOC in C, Near East Air Force.

6 May
1969: Administrator,
Sovereign Base Areas, Cyprus.

1 Aug 1970:Vice Chief of the Air Staff.

1 Feb 1974:AOC in C, Strike Command.

xx xxx 1975 - 21 May
1976:C in C, UK Air Forces

Educated at King Edward VI
School in Birmingham, Denis Smallwood joined the RAF in 1938 and was selected
for training as a QFI on completion of his flying training after which he was posted to No 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron of the
Auxiliary Air Force.His main task
as Assistant Adjutant and QFI was to convert the pilot's of the squadron from
the bomber role to the fighter role.When
he arrived 605 was equipped with Hawker Hinds but soon received their new
equipment in the form of Gloster Gladiators and soon after this, Hawker
Hurricanes.

In 1940, he joined No 249
Squadron flying Hurricanes and in 1941, was given given command of No 87
Squadron, also equipped with Hurricanes. He took part in the Dieppe raid
in August 1942, gaining the DFC for his actions that day. Promoted to Wing
Commander in early 1943, he took command of a Spitfire fighter wing in
Cornwall. At the end of the war, he was sent to Staff College in Haifa and
then joined the directing staff of the college. Returning to Britain, he
became assistant secretary to the Chiefs of Staff Committee and shortly after
this he was awarded a permanent commission.

He then went to Germany to
command No 33 Squadron, equipped with Tempest F Mk 2s, but he handed over
command two months later. After another posting, he joined the directing staff
of the Joint Services Staff College before taking command of RAF Biggin
Hill. During his tenure at Biggin Hill, he led a large formation flypast
on 2 June 1952, to celebrate the Queen's Coronation.

Whilst studying at the Imperial
Defence College in 1956, he was taken away from his studies to become a member of the planning
staff of Operation 'Musketeer'. In 1959, he assumed command of RAF North
Coates, which was then home to a Wing of Bloodhound surface-to-air missiles and
was seen by many, particularly politicians, as the future of the RAF.
However, the manned aircraft was not replaced and continues to provide the
backbone of the RAF's air defence capability.

Various command and staff
appointments followed (see above), until 1974, when he was given command of the
RAF's only operational command, Strike Command. Retiring in 1976, he
became Military Adviser to British Aerospace the following year until
1983. He is also a member of
the Air League having been Chairman from 1978 to 1981 and President from 1981
until 1984 when he was created a Life Vice-President.

This
officer is an exceptionally, keen and skilful pilot who has rendered excellent
service, 1 especially in night flying operations. In the recent combined
operations at Dieppe, Squadron Leader Smallwood led his squadronon two low

level
attacks on gun emplacements in the face of strong opposition from the grounddefences; his leadership proved a valuable asset. By his personal
example, he has contributed materially to the high standard of morale and
efficiency of his squadron."

(London
Gazette - 22 September 1942)

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service
Order

This
officer has displayed the highest standard of skill and gallantry in air
operations.He has participated in
a very large number of sorties in which he has led large formations of aircraft
on a variety of missions.By his
great tactical ability, fine fighting qualities and gallant leadership, he has
contributed materially to the successes obtained.In addition to his (work in the air, Wing Commander Smallwood
has devoted much of his technical knowledge towards the training of other
members of the squadron with good results.His devotion to duty has been unfailing.